THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. – The Dryden GM Ice Dogs moved into a first place tie in the Superior International Junior Hockey League standings Sunday by posting their third consecutive shutout, including their second in a row over the Thief River Falls Norskies, after blanking them 2-0 at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Jacen Bracko’s league-leading 28th goal of the late in the first period proved to be his third straight game-winner as the visitors took a narrow lead after one.
Following a scoreless middle stanza, Dryden got some insurance in the latter stages of the contest compliments of Eric Stout with 3:16 remaining in regulation to help secure the triumph.
Landon Pavlisin made 24 saves to post another shutout for the GM Ice Dogs while Bailey Schmitz saw 43 shots fired his way for Thief River Falls, who lost for a second game in succession for the first time all season.
With the result the two teams are now tied for first overall in the SIJHL standings with 56 points apiece.
The Norskies do however hold three games in hand on Dryden.
Photo credit: Allison Garrigan